NFC Scout Predicts Dak Prescott Is The 2017 NFL MVP

If you were to ask just about anyone who the 2017 NFL MVP was likely to be after everything is said and done, the majority of people would likely say either Aaron Rodgers or Tom Brady. But, one NFC Scout is predicting second-year QB Dak Prescott edges out the two veterans to claim that honor.

In an article by Bleacher Report's Mike Freeman, an NFC scout is quoted as saying the former Mississippi State quarterback will win MVP in a close race over both Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady.

"This will be a tight MVP race," the scout told Freeman. "I think Prescott wins a close one. I can see him getting literally twice as good as he was last season. [He] still has that great offensive line."

It's hard to disagree with anything the NFC scout told Mike Freeman, but I don't think Dak Prescott has to be twice as good in order to win NFL MVP in 2017. In fact, I think if Prescott does just as well as he did in 2016, he can still probably edge out both Rogers and Brady.

You don't necessarily have to be a fan of the Dallas Cowboys to appreciate the type of season Dak Prescott had in 2016. He was simply phenomenal and should be even better this season after a full off-season to prepare as the starting QB.

Prescott has the added benefit of being surrounded by an enormous amount of talent. He is playing behind arguably the best offensive line in the entire NFL and has a dominant rushing attack led by Ezekiel Elliott to ease the load placed on his shoulders. Plus, a really talented group of WRs.

Of course, Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers seem to be always in the mix of winning the NFL MVP award year after year. But, NFL fans might be growing little tired of these two in regards of being in the MVP discussion and could turn their attentions towards Prescott.

It may just be me, but Dak Prescott just seems to be more relatable than either Aaron Rodgers or Tom Brady. He isn't married to a supermodel or featured in a lot of commercials, although all of that could change in time. That alone could sway quite a few voters in his direction.

Now, all of this is really just speculation at this point. There is still a long NFL season ahead of us, but it's still fun to speculate about. But, I think the un-named NFC scout might just be on to something here.

I think all of Cowboys Nation would be extremely ecstatic if the NFC scout turns out to be correct and Dak Prescott does indeed end up becoming the 2017 NFL MVP. That would mean the Dallas Cowboys lucked into something special and Prescott is indeed the real deal.

Will Dak Prescott get your vote for 2017 NFL MVP?

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2018 Draft Class Season Review: LB Leighton Vander Esch

As the first round draft pick of America's Team, any player would be under a ton of pressure from all angles. Whether it's from the fans on the outside or the organization on the inside, the expectations around being a first round pick for the Cowboys are immense. But the pressure placed upon linebacker Leighton Vander Esch, from the second he was announced as the 19th overall draft pick, was second to none.

It felt like Cowboys Nation let out a collective groan when Vander Esch was taken, with fans hoping for a more glamorous first round selection. Someone like wide receiver Calvin Ridley or edge rusher Harold Landry would've done the trick, but after Vander Esch's rookie season it's hard to imagine either of those players would have had the impact Vander Esch did in 2018.

Though he didn't start a game until week 4, and didn't become the unquestioned full-time starting WILL until week 10, Vander Esch earned Pro Bowl honors for his rookie season. Tallying 140 total tackles and 2 interceptions, Vander Esch made his presence felt week in and week out.

Prior to the 2018 season, the Cowboys defensive success often came down to the health of Sean Lee. When available and playing at his best, Lee led an overachieving Cowboys defense to solid performances each week. But, when Lee went out (as he often did), the entire Cowboys defense seemed to fall apart.

This year, though, that all changed. When Sean Lee was out with injury the Cowboys defense got better. Vander Esch and Jaylon Smith became a versatile, hard hitting tandem the NFL immediately feared, and helped to direct the Cowboys defense to signature wins throughout the 2018 season.

There are arguments against taking any off-ball linebacker in the first round, as the value of the position has been questioned due to the new style of offense in the NFL. Nowadays linebackers are relegated to two-down players, taken off the field in favor of faster defensive backs on critical passing downs.

Leighton Vander Esch is athletic enough to be both an old school run stopper, but also a three down linebacker in today's fast paced NFL.

Despite the doubts which surrounded the pick, the Cowboys absolutely nailed their first round selection in 2018. And Leighton Vander Esch made Dallas' front office look like geniuses each and every Sunday.

What Is The Cowboys Most Pressing Offseason Need?

Finishing their season with a Division Round loss, Dallas Cowboys fans are getting a somewhat late start on the 2019 offseason. Of course, we'd much rather a later start, but the results are what they are.

Now Dallas must get better, and re-tool before heading into Dak Prescott's fourth season, and the Cowboys' 2019 campaign. Though they didn't feel all that close to a championship this season, looking around the roster, it's actually tough to identify one key need the Cowboys must address.

They are filled with young, talented players that they have high hopes for across the board. And in the places they are "older," such as across the offensive line, they have established veterans who aren't going anywhere anytime soon.

So what is the Cowboys' most pressing offseason need?

Well, despite already using their 2019 first round pick to address it, the answer very well might be wide receiver.

Adding Amari Cooper midseason provided a massive jolt to the Cowboys previously anemic passing attack, but on his own he is not enough to take this passing game to where it needs to be to compete in this new NFL.

Third round pick Michael Gallup is going to be a very good pro, and progressed really well as his rookie season went on. I think he can play opposite Amari Cooper nicely, and be the number two option in the passing game going forward.

Though arguably their best wide out against man coverage, Cole Beasley is a free agent, and if the reports are true about Scott Linehan returning in 2019 it could very well mean Beasley will not be opting to sign back with Dallas.

Regardless of Beasley's decision, however, the Cowboys need to seriously evaluate their pass catchers heading into next season.

This is a passing league. The rules have dictated that you must be able to pass the ball efficiently if you want to compete with the best of the best around the NFL. To take the next step in their progression, and reach an NFC title game and/or Super Bowl, Dak Prescott will need to have as explosive a group of pass catchers as possible.

The Cowboys have already taken solid steps to making this a reality, but another move or two this offseason could go a long way to putting Dallas in the conversation with teams like the Rams and the Saints in 2019.